Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1904 — An Easter Parable. [ARTICLE]

An Easter Parable.

Once In a sheltered garden there bloomed a beautiful flower so sweet and pure that the south wind forsook all other spots to sweep ceaselessly, caressingly around it, whispering soft words of love. But one day the flower faded, nor could the south wind with warm kisses revive its drooping head. Then came the gardener through his garden, who, seeing the dying flower, plucked it from-'its stem nnd, tearing out its golden heart, buried it deep in the black earth. “Cruel, cruel man!” shrieked the south wind, because it understood not. All winter long the cold white snow lay on the heart of the flower, and over it the south wind sobbed its rage at thtf pitiless gardener. But when the spring came, behold, the flower arose, more beautiful than before!

And the south wind, understanding, kissed the bronzed cheek of the gardener in joyous penitence. For kind of heart is the gardener of tlie universe, though man, foolish and fickle as the south wind, understands him not, and, as one who loves all growing things will stoop to brush a little blemish from tho humblest flower, so stoops he to remove the smallest sorrow from the tiniest blossom in his great garden of light petaled stars.